What Christmas Was Like Because My Mom Worked by Pamela Francis
Each year about this time the radio station I listen to — online (I wouldn’t touch regular radio with a ten-foot pre-lit LED Douglas fir) — has folks like the late Dr. Wayne Dyer and other notables from the “new thought ancient wisdom” community recounting their favorite holiday memories from childhood in between station breaks.
Now I may pride myself on making the decision to “parent onsite” by working from home and juggling income-earning around my boys’ childhood development schedules, but I have to say, I do have fabulous memories of what my working mom’s Christmases looked like.
Herewith… What Christmas was like because my mom worked for IBM:
The time: Late 1970’s/early ’80’s
The place: New York City’s Manhattan
Picture it… a giant ballroom in some swank Manhattan hotel. HUGE round tables that seemed to seat 10 or more…, glittering chandeliers… starched white linen table cloths, cloth napkins, sparkling silver cutlery…
Up on a stage, a live jazz band playing all the Christmas favorites…, waiters and waitresses in their black n’ white, carrying huge trays on one hand, bringing food after food after drink after drink after dessert after dessert…
a live stage show for the children, featuring kid-friendly entertainers… music, laughter and fun…
we little girls in crimson crushed velvet dresses and white tights… black patent leather shoes… our brothers in their Sunday best with neckties and fresh haircuts…
My brother and sister and I running pell mell all over the joint like maniacs let loose from the Bronx…
meeting all of our mom’s friends, coworkers and bosses…
the thrill of being a stone’s throw from places like Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall…
Manhattan, NY in winter at Christmas…!
And before it was all over, a sit on “Santa”s lap… and What…!? bring on the FREE presents!
Doll-babies and electronics and Milton Bradley games… AAAAAAHHHHHH…!
Then, back at our house…
Why, more of the same : )
Thanks for the memories, mom!
Tags: #holiday memories, #IBM, #late in life parenting, #New York Christmas, #the 1970s, #the 1980s, #When Moms Work, Christmas
